10 charged in child grooming probe

Ten men have been charged as part of an investigation into child grooming and sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

The men, nine of whom are Asian, are accused of a catalogue of serious sex offences against seven victims, aged as young as 13 at the time of the alleged offences, between 2005 and 2013.

They were held after police launched Operation Doublet into the child sexual exploitation of teenage girls by older men in Rochdale.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “This investigation is one of a number of cases which comes under the umbrella of Operation Doublet, which is the continued investigation into child sexual exploitation (CSE) that arose following the 2011 investigation into CSE in Rochdale.

“The operation is an investigation into CSE in Rochdale and across other areas of Greater Manchester.

“The majority of the offences were committed between 2003 and 2013 and focus on reports that teenage girls were sexually exploited by older men.

“So far, 65 people have been arrested as part of Operation Doublet and the investigation continues.

“This is an extremely complex and challenging investigation which started in May 2012. The investigation will continue over the coming months and further arrests are anticipated.

“The welfare of the victims is paramount and we have a team of experienced officers supporting them through the process.”

The charges are as follows; Shayfur Rahman, 31, of Chapel Road, Prestwich has been charged with one count of rape; Kutab Miah, 34, of Ramsay Street, Rochdale has been charged with three counts of sexual activity and one count of rape; Rehan Ali, 26, of Cleethorpes Avenue, Blackley, Manchester, has been charged with one count of rape, three counts of sexual activity with a child when the offender was over 18 and three counts of sexual activity with a child when the offender was between 15 and 17.

Iklaq Choudhry Hussain, 37, of Mayfield Terrace, Rochdale has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of rape.

David Law, 45, of Colmanhay Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire has been charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit rape.

Mahfus Rahman, 28, of HMP Garth has been charged with three counts of rape and three counts of sexual activity with a Child.

Ashfaq Yousaf, 28, of HMP Forest Bank has been charged with one count of aiding and abetting rape against one victim.

He has also been charged with one count of rape against a further victim.

Afraz Ahmed, 32, of Oswald Street, Rochdale has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit rape and one count of rape against one victim. He also faces two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, relating to offences against to girls.

He has also been charged with one count of rape against a further victim.

Mohammed Davood, 37, of Leyland Road, Burnley has been charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against one victim. He has also been charged with three counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual assault against a further victim.

Mohammed Miah, 39, of HMP Moorland has been charged with three counts of sexual activity and one count of rape against one victim.

He has also been charged with one count of rape against a further victim.

The men have been bailed to appear at either Bury or Tameside Magistrates’ Court later this week.